Small school returning stars to watch – Nine-Man
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The bigger the school a kid plays for, the easier it is for him to get exposure. The big schools usually have the news outlets with the largest readership. I will admit that finding updated statistics and information on the best players from smaller schools is challenging. This list is composed of only teams that had a lot of success last season and is heavily reliant on a handful of programs whose kids’ highlights I could find. Here are five of the top returning Nine-man athletes – with five more coming later this week.
<strong>Marshall Tolifson</strong> <strong>QB/DB Wheaton Herman Norcross</strong>
As a sophomore last season, Tolifson already looks like one of the more complete quarterbacks from the smaller schools. He has a strong arm and uses it to throw accurately deep. He can move around in the pocket to buy time to throw and pick up yards in the running game. He also throws on the run effectively. Once he matures, gets taller, and puts
<img class="size-medium wp-image-205256 alignleft" style="font-size: 1rem;" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/09/IMG_3486-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" />
on good football weight, his effectiveness will only get more pronounced.
[player_tooltip player_id="201177" first="Asher" last="Zubich"] <strong>QB/LB Mountain Iron-Buhl</strong>
Zubich has a cannon for an arm. He can throw the deep ball as well as anyone – regardless of class. He also throws an accurate deep ball, repeatedly hitting receivers in stride. He uses the entire field too. He can hurt a defense deep down the sidelines and in the middle of the field. Not just a pocket passer, he can get out o<span style="font-size: 1rem;">f trouble, make something out of nothing, and is solid with designed runs. His vision in the running and passing game also set Zubich apart.</span>
<strong>Ryan Van Den Einde</strong> <strong>TE/DE Fertile-Beltrami</strong>
On defense, Van Den Einde is an edge rusher who uses his quickness. He is stronger than his somewhat wiry frame would indicate and uses that strength to get off blockers. As a tight end, he quickly gets to the second level and is a much more physical blocker than he appears.
<strong>Bryce Beier</strong> <strong>RB/LB Ogilvie</strong>
Beier will not ’wow’ anyone with his speed, but he makes up for it with great vision and enough physicalness to make defenders pay if they don’t wrap up. He is a threat in the passing game – both out of the backfield and split out wide.
[player_tooltip player_id="205273" first="Damian" last="Tapio"] <strong>RB/LB/DB Mountain Iron-Buhl</strong>
Tapio can do a little bit of everything. I would not consider him a big running back, but his strong lower body and low pad level allow him to bounce off tacklers and fall forward when stacked up. He is not the fastest runner, but he can run away from kids when he gets space. He is agile enough to occasionally make guys miss in the open field and is also a threat in the passing game – both out of the backfield and out wide.
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